L'Albereta: A Review

L’Albereta is a world away from the minimalist Spas that dot Europe. Built in the late 19th century as a private residence, the hotel retains a number of original features, including antique master paintings and frescoes. It’s old walls are wrapped in ivy and it is perched on a hilltop overlooking the vineyards of Franciacorta and Lake Iseo. It is a very picturesque area of rolling hills dotted around the vineyards and sleepy villages and yet it is only an easy 40 minute ride from Milan Linate airport. The hotel itself has oozes of Italian charm and buckets of character. My room is dressed in calming colours, with a balcony looking over the verdant, bountiful gardens. There are pots of lavender, an abundance of hydrangeas, with the strong scent of jasmine lingering in the air. But I am not here to simply enjoy the obvious beauty of L’Alberetta - I am here to sample its state-of-the-art health and medical Spa by Henri Chenot. Chenot combines the principles of Chinese Medicine with the most advanced technologies of Western Medicine, with the aim to create a balance between the mind, the subconscious and the physical body. ‘Focusing on the body without paying attention to the mind is a grave mistake and can result in an irreversible imbalance’ claims Chenot. It is only when both are in harmony that he then believes that we can achieve better ageing, and ultimately better health. Perfectly sensible.

The 2000 sqm Spa is spread over two floors; your fist step on the programme is a compulsory consultation with the Doctor, where you have your bloods taken and testing done - they will lay the foundation of how your treatments will follow, (I am given a folder highlighting which organs are to be focussed on during my massages). The daily treatments follow a pattern - you start with meridian boosting jet baths followed by an all-over clay body mask. You are then hosed down from head to foot and finish with a lymphatic-drainage massage. This massage changes focus each day, which is all laid out in your notebook which the Doctor has filled in. The massage, whilst deeply relaxing in parts, is also very painful in equal measures depending on where the mini-cupping is focussed. There is a brilliant osteopath on site who is worth the visit alone - Maneul Viprati will sort out your posture as well as clearing any blocked energy, and as he is a healer too he can tell if you are emotionally fraught. There is also a brilliant, matter-of-fact dietician Valerie Brembilla, who will give you lots of encouragement, great advice and and plenty of tips to take home. Food is miniscule portions of delicious alkaline food served away, crucially, from the main Italian restaurants, so there is little chance of falling off the wagon. The dishes are wholesome and mainly vegetarian.

Whilst this is not anywhere near as strict as a Mayr Clinic, or indeed its sister property Palace Merano, it does offer though a very good solution for Detox, and the beauty of its location makes it more palatable too.